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Checklist to Keep the Spirit of Ramadan Alive

Posted on August 15, 2013

With Ramadan officially behind us, it's easy to fall into the same routine we espoused pre-Ramadan. One of the signs that our Ramadan has been accepted is that we undergo a change after the month is over. While nothing can truly replace Ramadan, we're providing a simple checklist to help keep the spirit of Ramadan alive well after the month ends. What do you do to keep Ramadan alive? Share below or e-mail us at blog@hautehijab.com!

Continue Fasting

- According to hadith, fasting any six days of the month of Shawwal (immediately following Ramadan), is as if you've fasted the entire year.

- The Prophet (S) was in the habit of fasting on Monday and Thursday.

- It is also recommended to fast the 13th, 14th and 15th days of the lunar month.

Voluntary Prayers

- Get in the habit of praying all your sunnah prayers throughout the day.

- Pray Duha prayer in between Fajr and Dhuhr.

- Pray the Witr prayer after Isha.

- Wake up in the last 1/3 of the night for Tahajjud.

Quran

- Continue reading the Quran after Ramadan. Set realistic goals for yourself, whether it's a page a day, a juz every week, etc. Do what realistically works for you. Remember, the most beloved acts in the eyes of God are those that are consistent, even if they are small.

- Set long-terms goals for the memorization of Quran. Sit down and figure out when you want to have a certain surah memorized and work hard at meeting your goal.

- Read Surah Al-Mulk every day to receive protection in the grave and Surah Al-Kahf every Friday.

Charity

- Continue to give charity and spend in the way of Allah (S). Donate what you can, if that means once a month, once a week or once a day - whatever works for you.

- Don't have money to donate? Donate your time. Volunteer at a local shelter, at your masjid, at an elderly home or donate your time to family members who can use your help.

Going to the Masjid

- Continue going to the masjid for congregational prayers including Friday prayer.

- Attend different lectures and social activities at your local mosque. Keeping ties to the masjid is important to feel a sense of identity and connection to your Muslim roots.

Seek Repentance

- Don't fall apart once you make a mistake. Allah (S) loves those who quickly turn to Him for forgiveness and guidance after committing a sin.

- Ask for forgiveness at every available opportunity, during and after prayer. When waking up, before going to bed, etc.

Make Du'a

- Stay in the habit of making du'a for anything and everything. The Prophet (S) urged us to make du'a for anything, even for the laces of our shoes.

- Make du'a frequently, wherever you are, no matter the time of day.

- Make du'a for yourself, then your family, then the community you live in, and finally for the ummah as a whole.

Self - Evaluation

- Keep yourself in a constant state of self-evaluation. Think about your day every night before going to sleep. Thing about the good things and the not so good things you did that day. Ask yourself specific questions:

- Did I pray all my prayers on time with correct wudu?

- How did I treat my parents/spouse/siblings?

- How did I use my tongue? Did I lie, cheat, backbite, gossip?

- How did I use my eyes? Did I look at or watch something I shouldn't have?

- How did I use my ears? Did I listen to something I shouldn't have listened to?

- How did I use my hands/body? Did I do something physically I shouldn't have done? Did I go somewhere I shouldn't have gone?

- Evaluate yourself weekly to see the bigger picture. Did you keep up with your Quran and prayer goals? Did your spiritual growth increase or decline?